‘I have never seen so much quality in such a short time.’

Interview Annemieke Rijke, Commercial Director Gall & Gall

Gall & Gall is the largest wine and liquor store chain in the Netherlands.

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

I am very impressed. I’ve never seen so much quality in such a short time. They touched -very intelligently- exactly the right spot. Such speed has to do with their high quality. I’ve worked outside of Ahold a lot, and what they have been doing in two months, will take you a year sometimes. Of course this has to do with the good cooperation, but Eysink Smeets was amazingly spot-on, and at the same time pragmatic and visual. We could apply the results instantly.

How do they work?

A good example: we were in a shop and were discussing strategy. We went left, right, left, till Hans asks, “Do you have a pen?” He took a piece of paper and started drawing. That’s when I thought, this is going to save us months of talks with the advertising agency, because I have just a sketch of what it should look.

We just do business with three people and that’s it. No noise on the line, no egos, and we love the speed. Many agencies use all kinds of intricate models, but they just say what they think. Very plain, no fuss, no slick models. If you ask them why, they just say: “Because we believe it’s like that.”

What do you use them for?

We at Gall & Gall have laid the foundation in a preliminary phase of one year. That was the strategy that formed the foundation upon which Eysink Smeets has continued. They have made it tangible, sharpened it and visualized it in such a way that we can inspire everybody, down to the store managers. It is now understandable to all with simple, striking images. This means that we can move forward much faster.

And? Recommend them?

If retail-friends ask me who I can recommend: Eysink Smeets. I have done many projects of this kind, but never this fast and good. I would recommend them for strategy, and to bringing that strategy to life. They are a kind of secret in the market.

Eysink Smeets is hired by the biggest names in retail, when they’re in need of change.

When to call us

You probably have a dream. A business dream. But it might also be possible that that dream is stuck in lengthy processes and doesn’t get realised the way you want to. That’s when you call us. We bring incredible speed, power of decision, and realise your business dream within weeks.

This is us. Not a big, do-it-all-consultancy, but a highly specialized boutique.

Who are you?

Eysink Smeets was founded back in 1986 and as been successful ever since. Something special: We’re a family business. Our management team consists of father, mother, and two sons. Want to see more about us? Jump to team.

‘One can only dream of having such a brave and skilled consultant.’

Interview Ulf Bergenudd, CEO @ Pressbyran

Pressbyran is the leading convenience store chain of Sweden.

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

I like Eysink Smeets. In times of change, an organisation doesn’t need political consultants. I want them to be brave. Eysink Smeets dares to be brave because they’re skilled enough to show you the change. They’re sure that they can give me the ideas to make it better. That’s the kind of confidence I need.

How do they work?

Their strength is that they’re able to keep the process in motion, Eysink Smeets keeps on pushing it forward with their vast range of ideas. That’s what I call a fruitful discussion.

What do you use them for?

Eysink Smeets is best to use when you really need change, as I did so badly I when came to Pressbyran while it was making heavy losses. In one of the drawers, I found a plan drawn up by Eysink Smeets from a while before. To be honest, not much had been done with it and I was amazed. Here were the ideas we needed. Here was a retail strategist who was so familiar with change and had acquired so much experience in Europe and the United States that I wanted to work with them immediately.

What was the output of the co-operation?

To make a long story short, Eysink Smeets and I opened up the interior of the 400 Pressbyran outlets in such a way that we turned a 30 minus into a 30 plus during one of the worst recessions Sweden has ever known. With the help of Eysink Smeets, we have laid the foundation to double or triple profits once the wind is back in the sails, in addition to launch our concept in Germany and Hungary.

And? Recommend them?

I believe there are very few people around who can help people like me with that kind of success. Of course, I will call Eysink Smeets again and again. To me, they’re far more than retail and detail. I see and use Eysink Smeets as most valuable overall business strategist.

Our clients like that we turn their dreams, into an exciting reality.

Our difference

We are very different than other consultancies. We don’t deliver a couple of slide decks, filled with diagrams, graphs and arrows. We deliver your new future. Visual, tangible, exciting – and easy to understand for everyone. From the Supervisory Board to the canteen manager.

And make real change on the KPI’s within weeks.

How do you do that?

Most strategies are vague. With our strategies that’s much different. Because we work very visually – and execute the strategy in high detail – they can be put into action immediately in order to make real and instant change on your KPI’s. That’s why we can take clients from index 74 to 125 within 2,5 months. And double their sales per square meter within 3 months. Get in touch.

‘If you need a different direction, a clear vision and positive energy in your organization, you hire Eysink Smeets.’

Interview Wouter Kolk, CEO @ Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn is the largest supermarket chain in The Netherlands.

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

It’s a pleasure to work with Eysink Smeets – otherwise I would not continue talking with them. They listen well, understand how the retail world works and can switch easily between strategy and practical implementation. It’s easy to interact with this relatively small company – I have an intense and direct contact.

How do they work?

They know how to inspire. Their presentations always have impact and are very visual – using figures just to make a point. That helps to make changes or focus on certain points. They make stories that you understand at all levels – at the highest strategic level, but also on the shop floor. Implementing a real change is ultimately the responsibility of our own company, of course. But they give a visual image of the final destination and the vision that can take you there. With their creativity and visual insight, they also help you to get your story accepted within the company. All in all, they have clearly added their signature to the plans that we have for the various business units. Really enriched them.

What do you use them for?

Eysink Smeets helps you if you want to redefine where you want to go. They are an important outboard engine which I hang on our boat for a limited period, to make us travel faster. I keep the rudder in hand of course. Sometimes they rock the boat so hard that we have to hold on tight. That is how they deliver a very good push to end up in new and different destinations.

And? Recommend them?

I recommend them for creating your strategy. If you need a different direction, a clear vision and positive energy in your organization, you hire Eysink Smeets.

‘If you have to make a fundamental change, they are the right party.’

Interview with Kris Geeraert, General Manager Danone Benelux

Danone is one of the largest dairy brand manufacturers in the world.

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

Yes. It was confrontational, fascinating and it changed the course of things. And that is not always the case when you do such trajectories. It did not put a month’s mortgage on our organization: they were short briefings and short sessions with very clear feedback and outcome.

How do they work?

They have a lot of commitment. You notice that they have a thorough experience with different sectors, countries and over longer periods of time. They transcend the standard approach with their strong visual representation, which is immediately implementable in some cases.

In addition, they are strong in simplifying. They do not get trapped in endless details but keep the helicopter view. This way you identify the real issues better than when you dig deep. Also important: they know how to make the link between consumer, retail and business – they have a 360 degree approach. Everything is covered.

What do you use them for?

I needed them to clarify our direction and to motivate the people. They did that in a wonderfully good way. I said: challenge the strategy, and make it clear, visually. With a limited number of conversations they have put it in focus. If you make it visual, you have to choose, and they helped us enormously. Even today, they are still helping with cases where we have trouble making steps. Short sessions, but it is very valuable to be able to play ping pongs. And sometimes very confronting, but you know that they are honest and have an absolute lacquer of conformism. They come with very original ideas.

What did it bring you?

We have made choices. With them, a direct, more non-compromise style of communication has arrived within our company. We use more visualization. The innovative thing about Eysink Smeets is that they make things very clear immediately. That is more an exception in Belgium, because there is more of a ‘compromise culture’.

And? Recommend them?

If you really have to make a fundamental change, Eysink Smeets is the right party.

‘Extraordinary creative, yet very practical when it comes to the implementation.’

Interview with Bert van Doorn, Executive TPG Post

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

Eysink Smeets is an extraordinary creative company, which knows very well what goes on in the world. And who can turn that into reality, in a very focussed and tailored way.

I have noticed, that Eysink Smeets works in a lot of different countries. It brings me more security that it is not just any nice little idea that they bring us, but that they already learned from mistakes that were made elsewhere.

How do they work?

Whatever they bring us, they can visualise very fast and very good. And if you’re talking about something like a new formula, it is pretty damned handy if such a thing comes to life for you. Eysink Smeets throws together sketches, drawings and complete mock-ups in no time at all. In a company like ours it is an absolute extra if you can show immediately what you mean by that, before you are shot down.

What do you use them for?

I needed them to clarify our direction and to motivate the people. They did that in a wonderfully good way. I said: challenge the strategy, and make it clear, visually. With a limited number of conversations they have put it in focus. If you make it visual, you have to choose, and they helped us enormously. Even today, they are still helping with cases where we have trouble making steps. Short sessions, but it is very valuable to be able to play ping pongs. And sometimes very confronting, but you know that they are honest and have an absolute lacquer of conformism. They come with very original ideas.

What did it bring you?

In our case he has confirmed us excellently about the road we have to take with Postoffices. Furthermore, and that appeals to me a lot, he is very practical when it comes to the implementation. You can put the ideas that he delivers right onto the shelves, so to say. But, however good they are, you as the boss must make the decisions about which ones to choose.

And? Recommend them?

I would hire them any day if I have to develop thougths about what direction to take. They’re an independent minds who say the things that others don’t dare to express, and that is what I love.

Meet the Eysink Smeets family.

(Really, we’re family.)

Rik Eysink Smeets

Managing Partner / Consultant

Rik is an experienced retail consultant. He has a background in new media and advertising. He did retail turnaround projects 20+ countries worldwide. He’s a public speaker on retail trends and co-wrote the book Porn For Bankers.

Hans Eysink Smeets

Partner / Consultant

Hans must be one of the most sought-after retail consultants in the world. He’s done more than 300 retail turnaround projects worldwide, and has an unrivaled experience. His style: Outspoken, direct, but always with a smile.

Karin Montagne

Partner / Consultant

Karin has a background as designer, fashion-editor, stylist and trend-researcher. She has an unparalleled sense for consumers and trends – and extremely strong business creativity, which she uses to create concepts that fit the consumer of tomorrow.

Tom Eysink Smeets

Consultant

Tom Eysink Smeets is experienced in digital media and filmmaking and before joining Eysink Smeets, he was creative director at music label Suburban. Tom is our lead on digital and online, and also a speaker on retail trends in that area.

Finally, we’re great speakers on retail trends.

‘Masters when it comes to bringing change in your company.’

Interview with Neil Humphrey, VP Unilever

Unilever is one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world.

So how did you like working with Eysink Smeets?

I appreciate their direct and confronting approach. Eysink Smeets holds a mirror in front of you in a pretty aggressive manner. They’re creative and give excellent presentations. As opposed to other consultants, they use illustrations and diagrams more often than words to explain what they mean. You could characterize them as being the visual type; and their explanations are fascinating. Hans can be rude, even for a Dutch person (!), and I have to admit that I respect that. He states calmly: ‘An interesting thought. But of course it is complete nonsense.

What do you use them for?

We have enough bright and creative employees working for our company, we hire Eysink Smeets when we are not looking for a conventional approach.

And? Recommend them?

Eysink Smeets really is a master when it comes to bringing about change in your company. My advice is to use their services if you want your company to be more market-oriented or if you want to improve your business model.